Egyptair has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft heralding a new addition to its passenger airline fleet.

Egypt's national flag carrier is leasing the new Boeings from GECAS and will take delivery of another five 777-300ERs on lease through the second quarter of 2011 as it continues to upgrade its long-haul fleet.

The airline already operates a fleet of five Boeing 777-200ERs, five 737-500s and 12 737-800s. It has eight 737-800s on order directly from Boeing.

"This delivery is a substantial milestone in the history of Egyptair. We will continue to bring the latest to our customers who deserve the best of everything. This is a continuation of the long term partnership with Boeing," said Hussein Massoud, chairman of Egyptair Holding Company.

Additional enhancements to the 777-300ER model over the 200 will boost fuel efficiency, reduce seat-mile costs and directly benefit the carrier's bottom line, said its chairman Captain Alaa Ashour. "The 777-300ER is an important part of our fleet modernisation and growth plans to achieve greater profitability."

Egyptair's new 777-300ER has 346 seats including 49 lie-flat beds with a 78-inch seat pitch, plus an in-seat entertainment system throughout the cabin. A member of the Star Alliance, it will operate 777-300ERs on routes to London, Tokyo and North America.